Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

ADSL FAQs

What is ADSL and how does it work?
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a high-speed Internet access service that uses your telephone line to send and receive Internet data at much faster speeds than a conventional dial-up connection. With ADSL you are connected to the Internet 24 hours a day ("Always On"). You no longer need to dial up to open your Internet connection. You can also make and receive telephone calls while online. The "asymmetric" in ADSL refers to the fact that the data being received by your computer from the Internet (downstream data / downloading), travels at a faster speed than data travelling from your computer to the Internet (upstream data / uploading).

ADSL works through the copper wires of your telephone line. However, Internet data travels along the wires at a different frequency to the voice signals. Your ADSL connection comes through the SPTC phone line network, directly to your house, so it is the most popular type of broadband available.

How fast is ADSL?
ADSL is fast. Compared to a dial-up modem, which does 33kbits per second upstream and (in theory) can do 56kbits per second downstream, ADSL is up to ten times faster. That means that a large download that might take ten minutes on a dial-up modem will happen in around a minute on ADSL.

What are the benefits of ADSL?

Surf the Web and talk on the phone at the same time

Affordable flat monthly fee

"Always on" uninterrupted internet access

High speed access

The ability to download large files

Fast loading of websites - no more waiting

No waiting for a dial-up connection

Constant automatic PC updates

Ability to start and effectively maintain a website

Online gaming

Remote Desktop Connections

Fast, convenient Internet banking

Dial-Up FAQs

Can I use the service on multiple computers?
Yes, you can use your dialup account on multiple computers, just not at the same time.

How can I improve my connection speed?
Tips and tricks on improving connection speeds:

Minimize other equipment - If possible, use a dedicated phone line. Basically, anything you can do to reduce other equipment on the same phone line will improve signal strength and quality.

Download Propel Accelerator - If you surf the Internet using a dial-up connection, you are painfully aware of how slow Web pages can load. Propel Accelerator is a subscription-based service, allowing you to dramatically increase your surfing speed. Pages that previously took almost 30 seconds to load, can now be viewed in less than 7 seconds, on average, and sometimes even faster.